The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to visit Ireland in the middle of next month, very likely around Friday, July 13.

Preparations are continuing for Prince Harry and Meghan to visit, less than two months after their wedding on May 19. Sources say they are likely to take part in a series of engagements over the course of two days.

It will be a second royal visit of the summer, as Prince Charles and wife Camilla are expected in Cork later this week for a three-day visit which will also include visits to Kerry.

Officials hope the publicity around these visits may prove helpful in Anglo-Irish relations at a time when Brexit has created a considerable strain between the two governments.

The British Embassy has so far remained tight-lipped about the arrangements.

Harry has never visited the Republic before, but Meghan spent time there as an ambassador for the One Young World summit in 2014.